Visit the Academy

A Beautiful and Historic Campus.

The Barry Goldwater Air Force Academy Visitor Center serves as the gateway to the United States Air Force Academy for hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. The center provides information on Academy history, cadet life and campus attractions.

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General Information

The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Visitor Center does not accept reservations for guided tours. Unless you are a prospective applicant to the Academy, only self-guided tours are available. If you are a prospective applicant, see Escorted Tours.

All visitors will be required to show their driver’s license to the guard and expect to have their vehicle inspected and/or other random security measures prior to entering the Academy. Visitors who refuse to comply with security measures will not be allowed access to the base.

Note that backpacks or large bags are not allowed in the Visitor Center, the paved nature trail, or the Cadet Chapel.

Visitors to the Academy must enter through the North Gate which can be accessed from Exit 156 on Interstate 25, 14 miles north of downtown Colorado Springs. For more information, call the Visitor Center at 719-333-2025.

Driving on the Academy Grounds

As at any Air Force installation, all vehicles and people are subject to being stopped and searched. Please understand we are trying to balance our need for increased security with the public’s desire to visit the Academy.

As of March 1, 2006, privately owned vehicle operators and operators of government vehicles shall not use cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device.

As well, the safety of motorcyclist operating on Academy grounds is everyone’s responsibility. Motorcyclists must wear helmets upon entering Academy grounds and comply with all safety equipment regulations.

Buses and RVs

Due to the large volume of bus traffic to the Visitor Center, buses may off-load passengers on the top level, Right Side of the entrance.

Buses will then be parked on the bottom parking lot level. Buses may later return to the top level, Left Side of the entrance to pick up passengers. This policy is to ensure safety of pedestrians in the parking areas.